Tourism Ireland, Marketing the Island of Ireland Overseas

Ready to do Business in Belgium

11 Dec 2013

Several tourism enterprises from the island of Ireland travelled to Brussels last week, to take part in a sales blitz organised by Tourism Ireland, targeting influential international associations and incentive agents based in the Belgian capital. Business tourism is the most lucrative form of tourism, offering significant economic benefits and, given that the headquarters of more than 2,000 associations are based in Brussels, the city is an important source of association conference events for Ireland.

Over three days, the tourism companies from Ireland met with senior representatives and decision-makers from a number of international associations and incentive agents. The sales blitz was an excellent opportunity for the participating companies to showcase their product and to win a greater share of the lucrative conference and business tourism market.

Danielle Neyts, Tourism Ireland Belgium, said: “Given that the headquarters of more than 2,000 associations are located in Brussels, it makes sense for us to proactively target this sector. These associations regularly hold conferences for thousands of delegates in different venues around the world, delivering significant economic benefits to the host country. We were delighted so many of these key business tourism decision-makers took the time to meet our partners, to hear about our superb meetings and conference facilities and what makes the island of Ireland unique as a business destination.”

Tourism Ireland’s busy programme of activity to grow business tourism from Belgium and elsewhere across Europe this year has included a number of events, promotions and familiarisation visits – highlighting ease of access, the great facilities and good value rates available for meetings and conferences here and getting the island of Ireland known for excellence in business support.

Notes to Editors:
• Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination.
• Tourism is the island of Ireland’s largest indigenous industry; responsible for in excess of 4% of GNP in the Republic of Ireland and employing approximately 200,000 people.
• By the end of 2013, an estimated 8 million overseas visitors will have come to the island of Ireland, delivering revenue of approximately €3.64 billion. Overseas tourism business accounts for 59% of all tourism revenue.
• Tourism Ireland’s international website is www.ireland.com, currently rolling out in 11 different language versions for over 30 individual markets around the world.